Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing increasing pressure to resign as the leader of the Liberal Party amid internal dissent and declining public support. This turbulence within the party was sparked primarily by the unexpected resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, whose departure signaled significant unrest among Liberals.
Over the weekend, sources reported growing demands from within Trudeau’s own caucus for him to step down. Ontario MP Chandra Arya revealed to the public broadcaster CBC on Sunday, "Dozens of Liberal MPs wanted Trudeau to go," following discussions within the Ontario Liberal caucus. He noted, "A majority of the caucus thinks it is time for the prime minister to step aside." This sentiment has gained momentum after Freeland's resignation, which was seen as the first open dissent against Trudeau from one of his former loyalists.
Anthony Housefather, another Liberal MP from Quebec, echoed these sentiments, asserting, "The prime minister needs to go. We're in an impossible situation if he stays." Housefather pointed out the precarious position of the party, where accountability for the leadership is being demanded at the upcoming elections.
Trudeau's leadership has increasingly come under fire, especially as public opinion polls show him trailing behind Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre by over 20 points. The latest shifts point toward possible dire consequences for the Liberals if no decisive action is taken before the slated elections expected for October 2025, or earlier.
Freeland’s abrupt exit highlighted her disagreement with Trudeau over how to navigate the impending threat posed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, particularly concerning proposed tariffs on Canadian imports. Her resignation letter described their diverging views on the “best path forward for Canada,” emphasizing the “grave challenge” posed by Trump's economic policies.
Some Liberal MPs have begun to rally behind Freeland as a potential successor, seeing her as capable of uniting the party at such a tumultuous time. Arya posited, "By design or by circumstance, her time of resignation has put her...in the spotlight. She appears to be the person around whom the caucus members can rally behind." Several other notable figures, including Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, have also been mentioned as possible contenders should Trudeau resign.
Freeland, the first female finance minister of Canada, has noted her commitment to run for her seat again, which has sparked speculation surrounding her future leadership ambitions. An insider indicated, "Ms. Freeland...is weighing if she should run for leadership if Mr. Trudeau departs." Such possibilities only heighten the stakes for Trudeau, as many see Freeland’s capabilities rooted deeply within her experience, and ability to navigate complex crises during her tenure by providing strategic leadership during negotiations like the NAFTA deal.
The situation within the Liberal Party is compounded by the fact they currently hold a minority government, which has left them susceptible to instability. Notably, the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Jagmeet Singh, declared intentions to align with other opposition parties to potentially bring down Trudeau’s government through non-confidence votes, which could significantly shift the political platform.
Insiders express concerns about the potential fallout of Freeland’s resignation and its ramifications on Trudeau’s tenure. Many believe Trudeau must act quickly, with New Brunswick Liberal MP René Arseneault stating, "He cannot wait, he has to address Canadians and talk about what happened and be clear about his intentions." With immediate action needed to stabilize the party, it remains uncertain how Trudeau will respond.
While the pressure mounts, Trudeau has continued to convene with advisers to evaluate his options. Discussions around his exit strategy are likely to play out over the holiday period, with the Prime Minister expected to spend time with family before making decisive moves upon his return. The broader Liberal Party is gearing up for potential leadership elections, with many MPs encouraging rapid planning should Trudeau resolve to depart.
This tumultuous period has also seen the Liberal Party moving quickly to launch its campaign strategy for the 2025 elections, with recent campaigns already taking aim at Conservative initiatives without clarifying who the party’s leader will be come election day. Notably, the campaign messaging has excluded Trudeau altogether, leaving observers pondering the future of the Liberal leadership.
The backdrop of rising discontent within the Liberal Party signals significant change for Canadian politics. With Freeland's resignation elevates her as perhaps the most viable alternative to Trudeau, her political acumen and past successes may offer the party some hope amid the leadership turmoil. How Trudeau navigates this challenging chapter will likely define the political future not just for himself, but for the entirety of the Liberal party as well.
